Container for can-filling machines



' May 27 1924.

I B. P. BABCOCK CONTAINER FOR CAN FILLING MACHINES Origlnql Filed April 2, 1920 Patented May 27, 1924.

NITED' STATES rears PATENT oFFicE.

BA SIL 1?. BAIBCOCK,OIF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO SPRAGUE GANNING :MACI-III ERY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CONTAINER FOR CAN-FILLING MACHINES.

Application filed April 2, 1920, Serial No. 370,816. Renewed J'u1y19, 1922. Serial No. 576,157.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BASIL P. BABoooK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and. useful Improvements in Containers for Can-Filling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to can filling .machines of the type in which the machine serves first to cook the material and then to fill the same into the cans which are fed through the machine.

More particularly this invention relates to the container or tank in which the material handled by the machine is cooked preparatory to the introduction of the same into the cans.

The object of the invention is the production of a container of the character mentioned in which will be provided! means for effecting simultaneous closure of the discharge or outlet openings thereof upon cessation of operation of the machine so as to prevent any of the material spoiling through cooling of the same as results where a portion of the contents of the container is permitted to discharge therefrom and remain in discharge passages or measuring devices of the machine during the period of cessation of operation of the machine.

A still, further ob 'ect is the production of improved means for cookingior heating the contents of the container so as to prevent scorching or pufiing of the same, as frequently results in machines of this class in use at the present time.

A still further ob 'ect is the productionof improved agitating means whereby material in the container will be thoroughly stirred or agitated in the operation of the machine.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

, The invention. will be best understood by reference to the accon'ipanying drawings, in which Fig.1 is a. fragmentary top plan view of the container of a can filling machine enrbodying the invention, the closure plate in chided therein being shown in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken on substantially line 22 of Fig. 1, the closure plate being shown in open position;

Fig. 3 is a detail section taken. on substantially line 33 of Fig.1;

Fig.- 4 is a detail of one of the vertical arms provided at the periphery of the clo sure member provided in the bottom of the container and Fig. 5 is a top plan View of a-fragment of said closure.

' The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a cylindrical container or tank 10 openat its upper side and which is rigidly secured to a tubular rotary shaft 11 through the medium of which, in theoperation of the'machine, said container is rotated. Ball bearings 12 are interposed between the bottom of said container and adjacent portions of the framework of the machine to alleviate friction. I

Formed in the bottom of container 10 ad jacent the periphery thereof is a plurality of spaced outlet openings 13 from which lead passages 14 which communicate with the measuring devices 15 of the machine.

These measuring devices may be of any suitable type and need not be described in detail. For a detailed description reference is made to my Patent No. 1,434,? 66, dated November 7,1922, entitled Can filling machine.

Arranged Within the container 10 upon the bottom thereof is a closure plate 16 which is arranged'to rotate tl'ierewith and be rotatab-ly shifted relatively thereto. Said closure plate 16 is formed with openings 17 adapted to register with the outlet openings: 13 when it is desired to permit of discharge from the container; said. plate, when it is desired to shut off discharge from the container, being adapted to be rotatably, shifted to. carry the openings 17 out of registration with the outlet openings 13, as will be readi- 1y understood.

Formed upon the upper side of closure plate 16 are curved radially disposed ribs or flanges 18 which constitute sweeps, the same being adapted, in the rotation of the container, and hence the closure plate 16,

to assist in directingthe contents of the container toward the discharge or outlet openings thereof. v

In order to effect manual shifting of the plate 16, as above described, said plaieis formed) at its periphery with diametric ver.- tic lly extending ms 19 which project upwardly beyond the upper edge of the container, said arms being rigidly connected by a band 20, as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

Encircling the container at the upper end thereof is an annular handle 21 having inwardly projecting arms or spokes 22 which are secured at their inner ends to the upper ends of arms 19, said ends of the latter being notched as at 23 to accommodate the members 22, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and The members 22 in projectingoutwardly be yond the upper edge of the container 10 pass through stops 24 secured to said container and which are formed with elongated slots 25 with which the members 22' engage, as clearly seen in Fig. 3. The ends 25 and 25" of the slots 25 constitute stop surfaces which limit the amplitude of rotary shifting permitting the handlle 21 and hence the closure plate 16 with which said handle is connected.

The arrangement is such that when the handle spokes 22 are at one terminal of their movement in the slots 25, the openings 17 will be in registration with the out let openings 13 so as to permit of discharge from the container 10, and, when said handle spokes are moved to their other terminalof movement in said slots 25, the closure plate 16 will be shifted to carry the openings 17 thereof out of registration with the outlet openings 13, in which event discharge from the container will be shut olf.

The members 24 are provided with slots 26 leading from the slots 25, which slots 26 are adapted to permit of the passage of the handle members 22 so as to allow for removal of the closure plate 16 when desired. The upper side of each slot 25, at one end thereof, is inclined as at 27, as seen in Fig. 3, so that when the closure plate is moved to closing position, said plate will be pressed downwardly against the bottom of the container in order to insure against any leakage around said plate and into the outlet openings 13.

ith the construction set forth then, it will be seen that an arrangement is provided whereby. upon cessation of operation of the machine, that is, the filling of the material into the cans, the closure plate 16 may be instantly adjusted to closed position so as to prevent the flow of material from the container, with the result that the contents of the machine will all be confined in the container where the same will be under constant heat and thus prevented from spoiling.

It has been found in practice that where, for any reason, filling of the cans is'stopped, the material which is permitted to remain in the measuring devices and passages leading from the container usually spoils by reason of cooling of the same, so that upon re sumption of the filling, the first cans filled are filled with a spoiled product. lVith the present construction, however, it will be seen that provision is made to obviate the latter occurrence. The annular handle encircling the container permits of ready engagement of the same by the operator of the machine during rotation of the container so that shifting of the closure plate 16 may be as readily effected during rotation of the container as when the'same is at rest, and at any instant, there being, therefore, no time wasted in the manipulation of said closure plate.

The arms 19 of the closure plate are pro vided with inwardly projecting agitator arms 28, the latter being formed at their outer ends with perforated lugs or bases which are secured by screws or other fastening devices 29 to the arms 19, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

Passing upwardly through the tubular drive shaft 11 and centrally into the container 10 is a steam pipe 30, the upper end portion of which is perforated to permit of the exhaust of steam therefrom. Said up per end of said steam pipe is surrounded by a jacket 81, the lower end of which is detachably secured through threaded engage ment thereof with a collar 32 fixed to the pipe 30adjacent the bottom of the container. The jacket 31 is of such size that an air space will be formed between the same and the pipe 30. Radiating from the jacket 31 are tubular perforated arms 32 which communuicate with said air space, the arrangement being such that the steam discharge into said air space from the pipe 30 will pass outwardly into the arms 33 and be dis.

charged through the perforations thereof or puff and when the same finally settles later on in the cans, slack fill results. Where the steam, as in the present construction, is not introduced directly into the corn or contents of the container, but first enters the air passage surrounding the steam pipe and subsequently passes into the radiating perforated arms, the velocity of the steam is checked and the intense heat of the same is deadened, with the result that a moist, comparatively gently flowing steam is introduced into the contents of the container, thus preventing the scorching and pufling, as above pointed out.

At the same time that the arms 33 serve as heat or steam conveyors to effect cookmg of the contents of the container, said arms serve also as agitators or stirrers, the same being stationary and cooperating with the arms 28 which rotate with the container, as above described.

7 The lower end of the jacket 31 engages against the central portion of plate 16 so that, when said jacket is in operative position, the same will also serve as a means of pressing the central portion of the closure plate 16 toward the bottom of the container so as to prevent leakage at this point, as will bereadily understood.

The arrangement is also such, as will be seen, that the jacket 31 may be readily detached when desired by unscrewing the same from the collar 32, it being clear that upon such removal of said jacket, the closure plate 16 will be free to be removed from the container. The ease with which the various parts of the device may be detached or removed, facilitates, of course, cleaning of the same, and permits of the device being readily maintained in sanitary condition.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it

' is understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto as many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope-of whlch is defined by the appended claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having outlet openings; and means for simultaneously closing said openings.

2. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having outlet openings; and means rotatable with and relatively to said container for simultaneously closing said openings. I 1

3. In a can filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having outlet openings; and means arranged within said container and rotatable therewith and relatively thereto for simultaneously closing said openings.

at. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having outlet openings; means arranged within said co ntainer and rotatable therewith and relatively thereto for sin'iultaneously closing said openings; and exteriorly projecting means for adjusting said closing means.

5. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a container having an outlet opening;

means arranged within said container and rotatably adjustable relatively thereto for closing said opening; and exteriorly projecting means for adjusting said closing means.

6. In a oanfilling machine, the combination of a container having a plurality of out let openings in the bottom thereof; a closure let openings in the bottom thereof; a closure tion of a container having a plurality of sure arranged upon said container bottom outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a clooutlet openings in the bottom thereof; a cloand shiftable thereon for closing said opensaid container and engaging against said tion of "a container having a plurality of outlet OPBHIDQ'S" 1n the-bottom thereof; a cloportion of said closure toward said con; tamer bottom.

tion of a container having a plurality of arranged upon said container bottom and shiftable thereon for closing saidopenings; and means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom.

7:111 a can-filling machine, the combination of a container having a plurality of outarranged'upon said container bottom and shiftable thereon for closing said openings; and means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom when said closure is shifted to close said openings.

8. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said container bottom'and shiftable thereon for closing said openings; operating means for shifting said closure to close said openings; and means cooperating with said operating means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom when said closure is shifted to close said openings.

9. In a can-filling machine, the combinaoutlet openings in the bottom thereof; a cloand shiftable thereon for closing said openings; and means engaging said closure at opposite sides of said openings for pressing said closure toward said container bottom. 10. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a containerhaving a plurality of sure arranged upon said container bottom and shiftable thereon for closing said open ings; and a heating element arranged in said container and engaging against said container for pressing said closure toward said container bottom.

11. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a'container having a plurality of sure arranged upon said container bottom ings; and a'heating element arranged in container bottom for pressing the central portion of said closure toward said container bottom. I

12. In a can-filling'machine, the combinasure arranged upon said container bottom and shiftable thereon for closing said openings;-a heating element arrangedin said container 'and engaging against said container bottom for pressing the central portion of said closure toward said container bottom; and means for pressing the outer 13. In a can-filling machine, the combinaoutlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said container bottom and shiftable t-hereon for closing said openings; means for shifting said closure relative to said container bottom; and means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom when said closure is shifted to close said openings.

14. Ina can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said container bottom and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for closing said openings; and means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom.

15. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said contalner bottom and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for closing said openings; and means forpressing said closure toward said container bottom when said (:10- sure is shifted to close said openings.

16. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said 001113311161 bottom and rotatable therewith and shift able relatively thereto for closing said open ings; operating means for shifting said closure to close said openings; and means cooperating with said operating means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom when said closure is shifted to close said openings.

-17. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said container bottom and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for closing said openings; and means engaging said closure at opposite sides of said openings for pressing said closure toward said container bottom.

18. In a canfilling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom there of; a closure arranged upon said container bottom and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for closing said openings; and a heating element arranged in said container and engaging against said container bottom for pressing said closure toward said container bottom.

19. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged upon said container bottom and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for-closing said openings; and a heating element arranged in said container and engaging against said container bottom for pressing the central portion of said closure toward said container bottom.

bottom; and means for pressingthe outer portion of said closure towardsaid container bottom. a

21. In a can-filling machine, the combination .of a rotary container having aplurality of outlet openings in the bottom there of; a closure arranged upon said container bottom and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for closing said openings; means for shifting said closure relative to said container bottom; and means for pressing said closure toward said container bottom when said closure is shifted to close said openings.

22. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a closure arranged within said container upon the bottom thereof and rotatable therewith and shiftable relatively thereto for nected with said projections for manually shifting said closure. I

24. In a can-filling machine, the combination of a rotary container having outlet openings; a shiftable closure for closing said openings; and an annular handle encircling said container for shifting said closure.

25. In a 'can-fillmg machine, the combinat1on of a rotary container having outlet openings; means for simultaneously closing said openings; and agitating arms carried by said closing means.

26. In a can-filling machine, the combinat1on of a rotary container havlng a plurality of outlet openings in the bottom thereof; a

closure arranged within said container upon 1 said container; outwardly projecting means connected with said projections for manually shiftin said closure; and agitating arms carried by said projections.

27. The combination of a rotary container having outlet openings in the bottom there-- of; and curved sweeps arranged in said container above the bottom thereof for directing the contents of the container toward said openings.

28. The combination of a rotary container having outlet openings in the bottom thereof; and curved sweeps arranged in said container above the bottom thereof, said sweeps radiating from the axis of said container, and being adapted to direct the contents of the can container toward said openings.

29. A heating and filling machine comprising a tank rotatable about a vertical axis, the bottom of said tank being provided with a plurality of spaced outlet openings for supplying material to the cans, as the tank rotates, and means for supplying heat to the material in said tank comprising a heating pipe extending upwardly through the central portion of the bottom of the tank and a header surrounding the pipe within the tank having heat distributing arms radiating therefrom to distribute heat to the material in the rotatable tank.

30. A filling machine comprising a tank rotatable about a vertical axis, the bottom of BPI said tank being provided with a plurality of spaced outlet openings for supplying material to the cans, as the tank rotates, and means for stirring the material in said tank comprising a plurality of stirring arms extending inwardly from the sides of the tank, and mounted thereon, an axially positioned post in said tank, and a plurality of stirring arms radiating from said post and co-operating with said inwardly extending arms to stir the material in the tank.

31. A heating and filling machine comprising a tank rotatable about a vertical axis, the bottom of said tank being provided with a plurality of spaced outlet openings for supplying material to the cans, as the tank rotates, and means for supplying heat to the material in the tank comprising an axially positioned header having a plurality of heat distributing arms radiating therefrom, and a plurality of stirring arms secured to the sides of said tank and extending inwardly and co-operating with said radiating heat distributing arms to stir the material in said tank.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

BASIL P. BABCOCK. Witnesses:

LELAND A. BABOOCK, JOHN L. FREEMAN. 

